Todays Readings & Reflection: Monday, September 22, 2014 (Memorial of St. Thomas of Villanova) First Reading: Proverbs 3:27-34 Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him. Say not to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give,” when you can give at once. Plot no evil against your neighbor, against one who lives at peace with you. Quarrel not with a man without cause, with one who has done you no harm. Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways: To the LORD the perverse one is an abomination, but with the upright is his friendship. The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses; When dealing with the arrogant, he is stern, but to the humble he shows kindness. Responsorial Psalm: (PS 15:2-3a, 3-bc-4ab, 5) R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord. 1) He who walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue. 2) Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; By whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the LORD. 3) Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be disturbed. Gospel: Luke 8:16-18 (THE PARABLE OF THE LAMP) Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.” REFLECTION: HE PLACES IT ON A LAMPSTAND. The image of light is naturally woven into our daily life. No one can live without it. It guides our way. It brightens our night. Hence, it is unthinkable that someone who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed. Light is meant to be shown to dispel darkness. Jesus words give us spiritual light. They enlighten us. The Psalmist says it eloquently: Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path (Psalm 119:105). After absorbing Jesus light through his liberating words, we are now tasked to be reflectors and conduits of this same light to others. Just as Jesus is the light through exemplary Christian lives of service and compassion. To be an effective disciple of Christ, one has to stand on a lampstand on a pedestal or in a pulpit to be a shining example for others. Treating ones profession as ones vocation is a good starting point. A good businessman pays his taxes promptly, a doctor treats his patients with compassion, a charismatic preacher always calls attention to God, a policeman protects the people with his life, and a politician upholds the public interest and highest good. A man could have given everything away to the poor, but if he retained his self-will, it would simply be an act of pride (St. Francis of Assisi). - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops / 365 days w/ the Lord Good morning!
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 00:18:04 +0000
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